The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago, known as the largest Starbucks location in the world, is a destination designed to celebrate the art and science of coffee.
Opened in November 2019, the Chicago Roastery spans an impressive 35,000 square feet across five floors, offering a unique experience that combines coffee innovation with architectural splendor.
Design & Architecture
The Roastery is located on the iconic Magnificent Mile, housed in a building that was originally designed in the 1990s as a flagship for the Crate & Barrel home goods store.
Starbucks worked with the original architect, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, to preserve the building’s iconic features, including the distinctive all-glass façade that floods the space with natural light.
The design inside blends industrial elements with warm, organic materials, creating a space that is both impressive and welcoming.
Each of the five floor is designed with a specific purpose, from the main coffee bar on the ground floor to the cocktail bar on the fourth floor, where you can enjoy coffee-inspired cocktails.
A striking feature of the Roastery is the 56-foot cask that spans several floors, where freshly roasted coffee beans are stored before they are brewed. Copper-clad pipes run throughout the building, transporting coffee beans to different stations, adding a sense of movement and energy to the space.
Coffee & Food Experience
The Chicago Roastery is dedicated to showcasing Starbucks Reserve beans, which are sourced from the world’s top coffee-growing regions and roasted on-site.
This location also offers a variety of brewing methods, including pour-over, siphon, and Chemex, allowing visitors to experience coffee in a way that is both educational and sensory.
In addition to coffee, the Roastery features a Princi bakery, an Italian artisanal bakery known for its freshly baked breads, pastries, and pizzas.
There’s also an exclusive menu of coffee-inspired cocktails crafted by expert mixologists, making it a destination for both day and night.
I got the Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew and it was so good. It had vanilla bean syrup and extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam.
I also visited the roof deck which provides unique views of Michigan Avenue and of the Roastery below.
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago celebrates coffee culture, design, and innovation and pushes the boundaries of what a coffee experience can be, offering visitors an unforgettable journey from bean to cup.
I also got some Chicago specific Starbucks-ware from the retail section as a souvenir.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or simply curious, I would recommend the Chicago Roastery for anyone who wants to explore the world of coffee in an unparalleled setting.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago is located at 646 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL.
